Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
adjoining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
also
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From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
apartments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
battles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
bodies
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From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
bruises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
ceased
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From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
clashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
cook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
Count
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
daily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
expert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
fencing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
fencing-hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
groom's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
impatient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
Lisette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
Marie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
outdoor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
penetrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
plastrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
renewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
scratches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
swordsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
Vavel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
vigor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One morning the count waited in vain for Henry to make his appearance in the fencing-hall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was long past the usual hour for their practice, and the count, becoming impatient, went in search of the old servant.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The groom's apartment was on the same floor with the kitchen, adjoining the room occupied by his wife Lisette, the cook.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Since Count Vavel had ceased to take outdoor exercise, he had renewed his fencing practice with Henry, who was also an expert swordsman.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In a room on the ground floor of the castle, whence the clashing of steel could not penetrate to Marie's apartments, the two men, master and man, would fight their friendly battles twice daily, and with such vigor that their bodies (as they wore no plastrons) were covered with scratches and bruises.
